[jontow]

Well, its time.. my jeep/TW parts checking account finally has a balance high enough to rejet the bike and order my first new set of tires/tubes/etc for it!

Here's what I've chosen:



Bridgestone TW34 standard rear tire

Kenda K270 (5.10x18) front



My use is about 50/50 on and offroad, my on road travel is 45-55mph max, relaxed riding to/from work (4 miles each way) and the occasional relaxing ride out in the country. We don't even have interstates/freeways. My offroad is everything from knee deep mud to sand/gravel roads, and large rock faces.. I have a feeling the TW34 isn't really up to this, but I'm willing to give it a shot for now instead of dealing with the hassle of a Maxxis or Duro on the first go round.



From all the research I've done on this forum, the tire choice is reasonable for my use case, but I'd appreciate arguments to the contrary if anyone has them. I'm going to get Bridgestone tubes for it, a 180/80x14 for the rear, and a 120/90x18 for the front. I'm giving rockymountainatv the business, because of favorable reviews and prices.. and free shipping! So I'd like to get rim strips from them as well, if anyone can recommend a set that they sell that are suitable for this. I couldn't find anything listed other than the tape-style?



I'm going to have a shop change the tires, I've done many (MANY) car/truck and ATV tires, but none that are tubed, and I just don't want to risk my butt (literally) if it fails.

 

[RodneyReed]

That's the exact setup I have on my TW. Perfect (IMHO) for 50/50 use. The Kenda is a big upgrade to the stocker. Rim strips can sometimes get pushed around and fail to cover the spoke heads, can break, etc. So, instead of the rim strips, get a roll of high-quality duct tape and wrap it around the rim twice over the spoke holes. This will be much stronger and less likely to fail.

 

[jontow]

Sounds good.. I knew MX racing guys did that, but didn't think about it on the TW for some reason! Will do.. probably gonna remove the tires/rims from the bike and bring 'em over to the shop myself.. how do you suppose they'll feel about me dropping off new tires/tubes and a roll of duct tape?

 

[RodneyReed]

Lol. I'd be interested in hearing what they have to say about it. I've done it on every spoke wheeled motorcycle I've ever had.

 

[qwerty]

The 18-inch front rim strip is pretty easy to find. I imagine the only rear rim strip available would be from Yamaha. Part number is 94318-14149-00. Price is about $5.

 

[jontow]

For curiousity's sake: what width should I be looking for on the rim strips?

 

[xdac]

Id like to know too.

 

[qwerty]

Wide enough to fit the middle of the nrim so they don't shift side-to-side.

 

[lonedave]

How about using rim strips and duct tape to keep them secure?

 

[qwerty]

Only if you're a belt and suspenders king of person. I've ridden >646,000 on street and dualsport bikes over a period of 46 years and owned only two bikes that did not use rim strips, and never had a problem.